I recently celebrated my birthday (29 again… that’s somewhere between “I was 29 quite a while ago and I'm not telling you my age anymore.”)
I am not sure why people don't like birthdays. Mine was fantastic. The people in my life know how to make a gal feel special. I have noticed that men in general, though, cringe at the thought of birthdays because it usually means they feel the pressure to shop for the lady in their life.
So, I have a few ideas that just might make life easier.
1. Ask for help - It’s like asking for directions but for shopping. I know that is unchartered territory for male species, but think of it this way... asking for help is like farming with GPS. It's alot easier to do. So if you have one (i.e. teenage daughter or family friend) ask them for help.
2. Never, ever purchase a vacuum. EVER. Or any other appliance, for that matter. Those resemble work and we do enough of that the other 364 days a year.
3. Buy her a hot tub (I am just sneaking this one in there, just in case my husband reads this article).
4. Do not bring anything “live” home. (Unless it’s lobster.)
5. Listen to the hints she gives you, several times a day, for weeks ahead of time. This is especially true if you have been married for over ten years. By then, she knows you aren't magically coming up with the perfect gift, so she starts planting seeds in your head of what she really wants.
6. Send her to a salon or spa to treat herself to something like a new hairdo. When she is at the salon, practice what you will say to her when she gets home. Things like “Ohhhh, your hair looks short” or “Did you do something different?” will be responses that will only undo all the good you did by sending her to the salon in the first place. Keep it simple with a comment like “You look beautiful”. It's safe and ladies love to hear that.
7. Involve your kids. A sure way to warm a woman's heart is to get the kids to make a card or craft. Nothing better than a little one’s sticky fingers, sloppy kisses and a card made of macaroni. If they are teenagers, be sure to remind them that it is in their best interest to acknowledge their Mom’s birthday in some small way (for their own safety). The mess teenagers leave in their path is not nearly as adorable to their mothers as it was when they were toddlers.
8. Be very aware of the dangers of buying clothing. If you buy the wrong size, especially too big, you need to read number 3 again.
9. Try cooking supper or take her out if your culinary skills are limited to opening a can of alphaghetti. No one needs food poisoning on their birthday. In fact, if your wife does the majority of the cooking, try this: “Honey, you always cook for me. I would never be able to cook a meal like you do so I thought I would do the next best thing... and take you out for supper.” (You can thank me for this one later.)
10. It's the thought that counts. Unless you give her the gift and she says what the h*ll were you thinking, then you are on your own. Best to reread this article.
At the end of the day, birthdays really don't have to be that hard. Whether you bake a cake, make a card, decorate her office or tell her she looks young for her age, all that is required is a little love and affection.
